Ateneo is determined to try to use their midseason high to push them towards their goal of reaching the championship round.
The Lady Eagles continued their upward flight in the UAAP Season 80 women’s volleyball tournament after brushing off University of the East, 25-14, 18-25, 25-13, 25-18 to boost their Final Four bid.
Skipper Maddie Madayag said the Lady Eagles can’t afford to take it easy despite their 7-3 record, which is good for second place.
“We really can’t be complacent right now, because everybody’s on the same level,” said Madayag in Filipino Wednesday at Filoil Flying V Centre. “It’s a must for us, no complacency.”
Madayag’s co-captain Kat Tolentino said they will just what they have been doing for the past games, which is to listen to the instructions of head coach Tai Bundit.
“We’ll prepare for every team and listen to what coach Tai tells us because we have a game plan for each team we play,” said Tolentino who had 22 points against the Lady Warriors. “We just have to trust all the work we put in and hope that it comes out in the games.”
The Lady Eagles, who have won all but one of their last eight games, need one more win to secure at least a playoff for a Final Four spot.
Madayag said their bad 0-2 start in the season is well behind them and what keeps them focused atthis point of the tournament is reaching the finals.
“I guess every team will have ups and downs, and we got past our down period,” said Madayag who finished with 13 points.
Tolentino echoed Madayag’s statements adding that their strong performance has been working wonders for their confidence as they gun for a seventh straight finals appearance.
“I think our goal, even from the beginning of the season is to reach the finals,” said Tolentino. “It’s no different now and we’re still hoping we could get to the finals.”